23rd October 2000

CITROËN AT THE
2001 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

* An entire new car range with the new Xsara and the new Citroën C5
* The Citroën Berlingo Multispace previews as a new type of people mover

The 2001 Sydney International Motor Show (17 - 26 November 2000) will be one of the most significant motor shows ever for Citroën in Australia with the replacement of its entire car range and the preview of the Citroën Berlingo Multispace, a new type of people mover for the Australian market.

Star of the Citroën stand will be the Citroën C5, an all-new medium size luxury sedan that will go on sale in Australian next year. This technical tour de force - even for a company such as Citroën that is renown for its technology - demonstrates a range of technology from its remarkable suspension to its computer-based electrical system that puts it years ahead of other cars.

The Citroën Xsara receives a major update for 2001 and as well as the five door version that has been a major sales success for Citroën over the past three years, the Sydney Show will see the debut of the Xsara Coupe, which will join the range early in 2001. Both versions share a stylish new front, new engines and a substantial upgrade in equipment and features. The Citroën Berlingo, the French carmaker's stylish and high capable van, has been a major success for Citroën in Australia during the past 12 months. Spurred on by the number of people who have added seats and rear windows to their Australian Berlingos, Citroën will display the factory people mover version of the Berlingo, the Multispace, at the Sydney Show. This five door, five-seater version of the Berlingo packs a remarkable amount of space and versatility into a remarkably small amount of road space and should it gain a warm reception at the Sydney Show, it could join the range in 2001.

"There aren't many car makers that come to a motor show with an all-new car range," says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. "Let alone a range as technically advanced, stylish and versatile as the new Xsara, C5 and Berlingo Multispace. It demonstrates Citroën's commitment to Australia and offers one of the most interesting displays at the 2001 Sydney International Motor Show".

The all-new Citroën C5
The Citroën C5 is the latest illustration of Citroen's renewed vitality, expressed notably by the Xsara Picasso, the C3 and C6 concept cars and the Pluriel demonstrator vehicle. Reflecting the same strategy, the C5 features innovations in styling, design, living space and technological content.

The styling of the C5, designed to evoke power, vitality and strength, is the work of Citroën's Styling Centre. Through its proportions, and more particularly its exceptional height - this being the most visible illustration of the new design - the C5 breaks with conventional saloon styling to take a major step forward in concepts of saloon design.

Consumer requirements have changed considerably since the start of the 1990s, particularly with respect to interior space, comfort and safety. In this way, the external dimensions of the Citroën C5 place it at the top end of the upper medium segment on the borderline with the luxury segment. In terms of length and width (4.62 m and 1.77 m respectively), the C5 is closer to the Citroën XM than the Xantia, but its real originality lies in its height (1.48 m).

These dimensions and the flat floorpan make the C5 more spacious than any vehicle to date in this segment. It combines a range of storage compartments with a vast boot. The large volume also provides space for a semi-raised driving position, offering increased comfort and an improved view of the road.

Technology also features strongly in the Citroën C5, which offers a host of customer benefits.

The third generation Hydractive suspension sets new standards in comfort and roadholding. Its intelligent control system manages the two suspension settings, comfort and dynamic, to vary springing and damping simultaneously as necessary. Moreover, the new-generation suspension is fitted with an innovative function that adapts the height of the vehicle to its speed. This function improves stability by lowering the centre of gravity by 15 mm at the front and 11 mm at the rear and reducing fuel consumption. When the road surface is badly damaged, vehicle height can increase by 13 mm. A system of innovative design, third generation Hydractive requires no maintenance for the first 5 years or 200,000 km.

The C5 also uses multiplex electrics, paving the way for innovative functions offering increased comfort and safety such as: black panel function, automatic windscreen wipers, multifunctional onboard computer, automatic lights and hazard warning lights, detection of low tyre pressure and satellite navigation. The C5 boasts the latest in onboard technology.

The pursuit of optimised safety, both active and passive, remains a central concern at Citroën. With its third generation Hydractive suspension and wide range of safety equipment (including ABS, emergency braking assistance, traction control and six airbags of which two are curtain bags), the C5 becomes the new safety reference in its segment.

The C5 reflects a new Citroën naming policy, which goes hand in hand with the revitalisation of the marque Citroën. The names based on this new approach include the letter C and a figure. The letter marks them as belonging to the Citroën family, while the figure indicates their position in the range.

These names give the Marque a higher profile and set its models further apart from the names used by the competition. Initiated in 1998 with the C3 concept car, this policy was continued in 1999 with the presentation of the C6. The positive response from members of the public and automotive specialists confirmed the choices made. This approach also reflects the history of Citroen, which baptised two models C4 and C6 in 1928. Moreover, this new policy will make it possible to give personalised names to models with specific targeting, such as the Pluriel.

The Citroën C5 will be displayed with the 152 kW 3.0 V6 with the choice of a manual gearbox or a sequential control auto-active automatic gearbox. The Australian range will be completed by a new 2.0 litre engine to be launched next year, when local specifications and prices will be announced.
Click here for additional Citroen C5 information in a separate news release

The new Citroën Xsara
New exterior styling, additional equipment, new engines and increased safety are the hallmarks of the new Xsara coupes and hatches that make their debut at the Sydney International Motor Show.

At the front, the new bonnet features a grille with a prominent Citroen chevron badge and new tear drop shaped clear-lens headlamps, designed to provide around 20 per cent more light on low and high beam. The headlamps also have a fog function on all models.

At the rear, the reprofiled bumper and wings give the Xsara a harmonised finish. The pushbutton opening on the boot has been replaced by a handle that is more in keeping with the overall design, while the new number plate surround sports an elegant chevron badge in the centre. The 15-inch wheels and broader front and rear track complete the new exterior features of the Xsara.

The interior styling of the Xsara places the focus squarely on driving pleasure and well-being. The new interior trim materials enhance the vehicle's sophisticated, modern styling. From the easily accessible controls to the new display units and their wealth of useful information, everything is designed to ensure that occupants feel at ease.

The Xsara possesses a host of assets in terms of global safety. ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution guarantee high-performance braking, while the reinforced passenger compartment with its two airbags and optional side and curtain airbags provide outstanding protection in the event of impact.

Two new engines also make their appearance in the range, the 1.6i 16V 83 kW and the 2.0i 16V 104 kW, offering enhanced driving pleasure with its power and excellent torque with the choice of either a five speed manual or four speed automatic gearboxes. The Citroen Xsara Coupe will be offered with a high performance 2.0 litre 16V engine with 124 kW guided to the front wheels via a five speed manual gearbox, in addition to the 1.6 lire engine.

The assets of the Xsara also include a number of new functions for on-board comfort and well-being. The multiplex electrics introduce a host of functions that will be much appreciated by drivers, such as timed low-beam headlamps, automatic adjustment of radio volume and an excess speed alarm.

Full details, prices and specification of the new Citroen Xsara will be announced when it goes on sale in January 2001.
Click here for additional Citroen New Xsara information in a separate news release

The Citroën Berlingo Multispace -
a new type of multipurpose vehicle
The Citroën Berlingo has proven to be an outstanding success for Citroën in Australia with the compact van taking up to half of all Citroën sales in Australia. This is because of its combination of real load carrying ability - three cubic metres and 800 kg payload - combined with superb driving characteristics and styling that makes it an ideal representative for any business, all combined with a high competitive price.

Many of Berlingos sold in Australia have had locally fitted rear windows and seats fitted to them further extend the versatility of the Berlingo and this has prompted the Australia importer to display at the Sydney Motor Show the factory produced people mover version of the Berlingo, the Multispace.

Like the van, the Berlingo Multispace has proved to be an major sales in hit in Europe, with its remarkable, given its small exterior dimensions, interior space for five people and up to 1.5 cubic metres of load space. This is all easily accessible through wide opening front doors, twin side sliding doors and a large rear hatch. The raised seating position and the large glass area also make the Berlingo a particularly attractive car in which to ride.

On display at the Sydney Motor Show is the version fitted with the optional electric sunroof that is so large that its vertically turns the Berlingo into an open top car and brings back memories of its ancestor, the Citroën 2CV, with its fold back roof.

If the Berlingo Multispace comes to Australia it will be powered by the new 1.6 litre 83 kW engine matched to a five speed gearbox, the Berlingo Multispace offers sprightly performance, excellent fuel economy and, combined with Citroën's legendary suspension, a superb driving experience.

Citroën will be survey potential customers at the Sydney International Motor Show and should there be sufficient interest, the Citroën Berlingo Multispace will join the Australian range in 2001.

For further information please
e-Mail Miles Williams - General Manager on
100250.3324@compuserve.com

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